BBC Studios Science Unit Names First Creative Director
The Anthrax Attacks and Dinosaurs: The Final Day producer BBC Studios Science Unit as named its first Creative Director for UK Unscripted. Emma Lorenz has joined from Wonderhood Studios and will responsible for the domestic creative strategy and growing the unit’s UK slate in documentaries, formats and returning series. The BBC production division is led by Andrew Cohen and Director of Development Nicola Cook. Along with big ticket titles for Netlflix and the BBC, it has produced advertiser-funded programming series Cook Clever, Waste Less with The Great British Bake Off Judge Prue Leith for Channel 4. At Wonderhood, which former Channel 4 CEO David Abraham runs, she was Deputy Creative Director, working on shows such as BBC Three’s Trump in Tweets, Channel 4’s Baby Surgeons: Delivering Miracles, the recent Super Surgeons: A Chance at Life and BBC One’s The Airport: Back in the Skies.
Banijay Asia Strikes Keshet International Scripted Deal In India
Banijay Asia will adapt scripted formats from Israel’s Keshet International in India. Keshet’s shows include drama such as False Flag and Yellow Peppers (aka The A Word). “Keshet International has a brilliant content library, and its prioritization of quality content and storytelling with authenticity perfectly aligns with our philosophy,” said Deepak Dhar, CEO and founder, Banijay Asia. “Together, we are working to build a raft of shows that will continue to broaden the content offering in our market.” Keshet has previously seen Homeland progenitor Prisoners of War remade in India as Bandi Yuddh Ke and The Baker and the Beauty turned into a Telugu-language series.
BBC Studios Exec Matt Ford Moves To Cowshed Social
Cowshed Social, a South East London-based content production and distribution business specializing in Gen Z audiences, has hired BBC Studios exec Matt Ford as Managing Director. At the BBC’s commercial wing, he was Vice President of Commercial, Digital, working on brands such as Top Gear and Bluey. Hewas also behind the launch of Channel 4’s 4Studio arm and was the commercial brain behind social news site Unilad. At Cowshed, which former Unilad execs George Corwin and Ryan O’Shea launched three years ago, Ford will oversee an upcoming rebrand and drive new business.
content for ‘Gen Z’ audiences aimed at broadcast partners, content creators and publishers.
Lydia Ianni Joins Film Mode Entertainment As VP Of Acquisitions And Development
Film Mode Entertainment has hired former Cohen Media Group executive Lydia Ianni as Vice President, Acquisitions and Development. In her new role, Ianni will source new content and IP opportunities (finished and packages) for potential acquisitions and executive producing for upcoming films and for representation of sales rights. Ianni will also attend acquisitions screenings at various agencies, attend film festivals and film markets and work closely with FME president, Clay Epstein, in reviewing all materials for development, production, and acquisition opportunities. “We are excited to welcome Lydia to the Film Mode team. As we focus on our continued growth, her experience and reputation make her the ideal candidate for this newly created position,” said Epstein.
